Chiropractors in Tulsa, NUCCA & Gonstead

There are many chiropractors in Tulsa, Oklahoma and the styles of treatment you may receive from them could vary widely based on their specific training and expertise. This article will take a look at two types of chiropractic techniques that you will encounter in the Tulsa area.

NUCCA Chiropractor in Tulsa Oklahoma

Some Tulsa chiropractors belong to the NUCCA which stands for National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. This association promotes a gentle non-invasive procedure which can help to restore your body's balance with health. The focus of NUCCA is the relationship of the neck (also referred to as the upper cervical spine) and its relationship with the central nervous and the brain stem. This relationship affects many aspects of the human body, including each of the five senses.

Practicing NUCCA Chiropractors:

Hunt Spinal Care -

The Tulsa Chiropractor

10020-A, South Mingo Rd.
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133

Brooks Spinal Care

1722 South Carson Ave. Suite 3100
Tulsa, OK 74119

Tulsa Gonstead Chiropractor

Developed by Clarence S. Gonstead, this technique is reputed to be a very detailed and specific procedure that includes X-rays, using instruments, feeling the spine while it is still or static, as well as when it is in motion to find problem areas. These techniques are followed up by a visual inspection to look for any other problems before giving and adjustment.

The Gonstead adjustment technique isn't limited to the spine, but also includes tracking down problems in the extremities and adjusting them too. Here is a quote from Dr. Gonstead.

"Find the subluxation, accept it where you find it, correct it and leave it alone." - C.S. Gonstead

Practicing Gonstead Chiropractor:

Absolute Chiropractic
3319 E. 46th St.
Tulsa, OK 74135

There are many chiropractors in Tulsa to choose from. We have looked at two different techniques that you will find chiropractors in Tulsa practicing. There are other techniques in chiropractic, maybe we will look at some of them in another article.

Back Pain - For What Reasons Do These Pregnant Women Get Chiropractic Care?

* Her back starts to sway more. * The abdomen increases. * Changes occur in the pelvic area. * Posture changes happen. * The abdomen enlarges. * Changes occur in the pelvic area. * Posture changes happen also.

Many pregnant women suffer low-back pains the whole time they are pregnant, because of the above changes. Then others could have a hard time with alignment and balance. The chiropractic treatments can correct these problems and help the pregnant women have a more proper posture, which does not harm the body as much. A misaligned pelvic area could adversely affect the baby's growth in the womb.

Any professionally-educated chiropractor knows how to use certain procedures that are gentle and safe on women that are pregnant.

Women can also find the chiropractors who specialty is pre-natal treatments along with the peri-natal treatments too. A pregnant female should make sure that the chiropractic doctor she goes to has gotten this extra training for her and the baby's sake. These doctors know how to adjust the to make them less intense for the pregnant woman no matter which stage she is at. Chiropractors may also tell the pregnant woman to do some exercise and stretching routines to help her have a healthier and safer pregnancy.

Advantages of Having Pregnancy Chiropractic Treatments

Prior to the pregnant female going into labor, the chiropractic treatments helps her body in many ways. Some of the ways are:

* It makes the woman have a better pregnancy including making her healthier.
* It helps women take charge of the condition and/or symptoms they are having with their pregnancy.
* It even makes delivery go easier and quicker.
* It offers pain relief in the back, joints, or neck.
* It can even prevent a woman from having a c- section to give birth.

How this Impacts Labor

On top of the benefits that have already been mentioned, chiropractic treatments provide the women benefits in managing pain during their labor. If a woman wants to have a better delivery, she needs to have some chiropractic treatments, which will help her have it.

Labor Length

When anyone's body has to deal with a stressful event, the amount of balance it has and the capability of handling the stress, determines the impact on the body. A lot of the women, who need cesarean sections, have to have them because their body is unable to handle the stress of a normal delivery. This is mostly due to the pelvis not being aligned, which hampers the fetus moving in the birth canal properly. A pregnant woman's limited range in their motion negatively impacts the labor also.

The purpose of the chiropractic treatments is to fix the above mentioned conditions, which will lessen the labor time.

Position of the Fetus

The position of the fetus can also affect the length of labor. Most chiropractic adjustments correct the position of the pelvis and can help the fetus get in the correct position as a result. Experts on health also think going through chiropractic adjustments keeps the labor from affecting the back.

Spinal Traction in Chiropractic Medicine

Chiropractic spinal traction therapy is a method of stretching and mobilizing the spine using hands-on or mechanic force. Alleviation in pain is sought with therapeutic spinal traction by loosening tight and/or constricted muscles around the spine, and to help decompress intervertebral discs in order to relieve pressure on the spinal nerve roots, which is a major cause of back and spine related pain.

As with other chiropractic treatments, spinal traction may or may not help alleviate your pain, often times with chiropractic treatment what works on one patient may not be right for others.

Your chiropractor will evaluate your condition and determine if traction, and in what form, is right for you.

There are several types of spinal traction, lumbar or cervical, and whether it is done manually or with a traction device:

繚 Manual cervical traction is performed with the patient lying on the table in the supine position while the chiropractor holds the patients head and gently pulls or turns the head.

繚 Mechanical cervical traction is a device that consists of a head harness and pulley system that utilizes weights to apply the force. The patient may use this device while sitting, lying flat, or in a reclined position. This method of traction is often done at home by the patient themselves after having been properly instructed by the chiropractor in the correct technique.

繚 Manual lumbar traction is performed by the chiropractor by having the patient lay on the treatment table and then gently pulls on the ankles or by putting the patient's legs on the chiropractor's shoulders whereupon they grasp the patient's thighs and pull, or a waist harness may be utilized to apply the force.

繚 Mechanical traction may be performed by use of a split table style traction device that consists of a computer controlled two level table that the patient lays on and grasps two handles while the lower level of the table applies the force by means of attachment of a waist harness. However, when the spine is in a state of deterioration, such as from osteoporosis, spinal traction is not a treatment option. Other conditions that would exclude a patient from utilizing traction include pregnancy, cardiovascular disease, hernia, and in some cases TMJ. Some mechanical spinal traction devices are considered experimental at this point and so your insurance may or may not pay for this treatment.

Spinal traction therapy is often used in conjunction with other forms of chiropractic treatment and physical therapy for maximum benefit.

Chemicals, the Environment and Our Bodies

The average American now has 116 synthetic compounds in his or her body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. These include dioxin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides. There are about 75,000 different chemicals produced in the United States each year, 3,000 of which are produced in quantities greater than 50,000 tons each year. Chemicals that were banned decades ago persist in the soil, air and water. DDT, banned 34 years ago, still exists in detectable levels in many people. It would be interesting to see the result if the CDC tested for all of these chemicals.

Recent studies have detected pesticides, plastics and polymers in umbilical cord blood, in the placenta, in human milk and in the bloodstreams and body fat of infants. These substances may have far reaching effects on our health. One toxin threatening mothers and children is mercury. Mercury has been linked to breast cancer, autism and attention deficit disorder. In 2002, a study found that nearly 15% of American women of reproductive age had enough of this mercury in their blood to endanger a developing fetus.

In 1993, Mary Wolff, an associate professor at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center, published a paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, indicating that exposure to certain chemicals may play a role in breast cancer. Women with high blood levels of DDE (a compound formed when DDT breaks down), had risk of developing breast cancer that was four times higher than women with low levels of DDE. DDT was banned in the US in the 1970s. It can mimic the hormone estrogen and is a known to disrupt the endocrine system. Research published in the Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine states that exposure to small amounts of certain chemicals can increase the risk of developing cancer - particularly for infants and young adults. A study on rats published in the Dec. 6, 2006 online edition of Reproductive Toxicology found that exposure to biphenol A during fetal life may cause breast cancer in adult women.

Cancer is on the rise. Statistics in the United Kingdom indicate that between the years 1971 and 1999 Non- Hodgkin's Lymphoma has risen 196% in men and 214% in women, the incidence of prostate cancer and testicular cancer have increased by 152% and 139% respectively, breast cancer has risen by 75%, multiple myeloma has increased by 100% in men and 86% in women. These figures are from the Office for National Statistics (UK). Since 1990 cancer incidence has increased by 19% worldwide (World Cancer Report 2003, Frankiish, 2003, Shibuya et al., 2002). The rate of cancer in children, adolescents and young adults is increasing by 1.5% each year.

An article appearing in Food and Chemical Toxicology, (1992;30(4):343-348) looked at the relationship between certain chemicals and Parkinson's disease. Parkinson-like symptoms can occur from exposure to certain toxins, such as manganese and carbon monoxide. Drugs like phenothiazines and butyrophenones may cause symptoms similar to Parkinson's. The chemical 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. This drug has been used as a model in studying Parkinson's disease. Paraquat has been studied since it has a similar structure to MPP+. There is some evidence that Parkinson's disease can be induced by pesticides. There is a correlation between early onset Parkinson's disease in people who drank well water in childhood. There also seems to be a relationship between Parkinson's disease and working in a paper mill or in an orchard. The author suggests that there may be a relationship between the chemicals used in orchards and paper mills may be linked to Parkinson's disease. Also, environmental factors play a role in the disease, although there may be other factors.

Why Is Time in A Clinic Important In Chiropractic Schools?

The best chiropractor schools make sure you get plenty of hands-on experience. Some place you in internships outside the school campus. Even better, some colleges have chiropractic clinics on their own campuses. This is ideal because the early introduction to working with patients, will help you get extra exposure to chiropractic practice and you will spend more quality learning time with your instructors. It is also incredibly rewarding to be able to get started helping patients on a personal level.

Once you have met the chiropractic school requirements at a typical educational institution, you will probably begin the program with a heavy course load in basic science courses, with lots of exposure to topics like human anatomy, biology, chemistry and physiology, both in the classroom and from studying your textbooks. However, your chiropractic career will be about more than you learn in a book or lecture. It is not enough to hear or read about helping people; getting the skills you need is facilitated by your practical experience in the clinic.

It is certainly more than a biology class lab! Time looking at cells under a microscope is a fairly interesting way to learn about the body, but compared with patient interaction, you will learn considerably more about your profession with real people. Patients need you to listen and interact with them. Under the careful guidance of your instructors, you will learn everything you need to know: an irreplaceable complement to the books and lectures you have already experienced.

The extra time with your instructors is also invaluable. You are interested in helping patients and they are interested in helping you develop that capacity. Most instructors are veterans of a lengthy and successful chiropractic career, and have had plenty of clinic time themselves. Their experience is going to help you understand the material they are teaching you better, especially with the involvement of a patient. And there is another advantage: many people feel shy to speak up in a classroom lecture or to take full advantage of office hours. While good instructors make the effort to make themselves approachable, in the clinic you will get plenty of personal attention and opportunities to ask questions.

You will also get experience taking x-rays when needed. Knowing the body, inside and out, is helpful book study, but x-ray analysis will show you the natural individual variations normal to anatomy. Chiropractor schools that include the opportunity to work in a fully functional clinic with access to this sort of technology will expose you to just how helpful they are in your later career in Chiropractic.

Put together, a clinic gives you a real taste of the work you're going to do and gives you an extremely rewarding learning experience.

Chiropractic Treatment During Pregnancy

Why Do Pregnant Women Need Chiropractic Care?

During a pregnancy there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that happen, when preparations are made for the developing baby. Due to these changes, a pregnant woman could suffer from misalignments of the spine or joints that can result in any of the following:

• Prominent curve of the back


• Enlarged abdomen


• Changes in the pelvis


• Postural changes

A large part of chiropractic care is focused on relieving intrauterine constraints by establishing proper alignment and balance of the pelvis. When the pelvic bone is misaligned it could reduce the room available for the baby, causing unnecessary pressure on the baby as well. Also, a misaligned pelvis could cause difficulties in the delivery process. Breech and posterior positions can interfere with the natural ease of labor and lead to interventions such as C-Sections.

5 Benefits of Receiving Chiropractic Adjustments during Pregnancies:

1. Counterbalance of the Relaxin Hormone: During a pregnancy a natural hormone called Relaxin is released, which is necessary to be more flexible and malleable. Relaxin helps relax the ligaments and muscles in the body. However, there is a negative side effect to Relaxin. There is a higher possibility of the joints to become misaligned. Therefore, chiropractic adjustments will assist in bringing the joints back in alignment.


2. Offsets Weight Distribution: As we all are aware women gain weight during their pregnancy and due to the weight gain her posture changes. These postural changes can cause joint stress as well as fatigue on the muscles and ligaments. As the baby grows the uterus expands outwards causing the mothers center of gravity to shift forward. Due to the shift of the center of gravity the mother's biomechanics puts more pressure on the pelvis and the lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. A chiropractic adjustment can be done to offset the movement and pressure.


3. Prevent Intrauterine Constraint: As mentioned above chiropractic care can help establish proper alignment in the pelvis by relieving intrauterine constraint. Intrauterine constraint occurs when normal movement of the developing fetus is restricted. Problems that can arise from intrauterine constraint are growth defects and long-lasting neuromuscular challenges. Another problem caused from this constraint is it could cause the baby to breech, causing the birthing process more excruciating and unsafe. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce the chances of requiring a C-section and improve the alignment in the pelvis.


4. Relieves Spinal Subluxation: Spinal Subluxation is when the vertebrae moves out of position putting pressure on the spinal nerve and causing malfunction. This many not seem like that big of a deal but when you consider that the spinal nerve is the highway of your body. Regardless if you are pregnant or not a chiropractic adjustment can reduce and correct spinal subluxation. During a pregnancy, spinal subluxation can add additional stress and pain to the nervous system. A pain-free happy mother is most likely to create a happy healthy child. With this in mind, correcting spinal subluxation is crucial during chiropractic adjustments.


5. Low Back Pain Relief: The most obvious benefit of receiving chiropractic adjustment during a pregnancy is reducing lower back pain. Many pregnant women have lower back pain due to the shift in their biomechanics and a spinal alignment can help improve the pain.

As you can see chiropractic treatment can be conducted safely throughout a pregnancy. Regular adjustments can offer numerous benefits for the mother and the developing child. Throughout their pregnancy women tend to learn different lifestyle habits that will continue to promote and enhance their wellness potential.

Acupuncture Can Relieve Menstrual Pain

Patients seeking pain relief from the condition, dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual cramps, often look for relief from medication. The benefits wear off and the pain soon returns. Physiotherapy, such as acupuncture, is an alternative technique that is becoming more popular as people are searching for long-term health improvements and less stress. Acupuncture, chiropractic massage, and physical manipulation of the spine are all ways increase stamina and decrease pain.

Therapists who use acupuncture believe that you have a natural rhythm or an energy flow. You can direct that flow to increase positive energy with the use of needles. When a patient comes in with extreme cramping, a full exam will need to be performed to figure out where in the menstrual cycle the body is.

Why Acupuncture

Along with lower backaches, cramps, and other ailments, women suffer from bloating, irritability, and more. Medical professionals can administer over-the-counter pills or with an NSAID, such as Aleve, to treat the symptoms. The medications, however, often come with side effects and the benefit wears off over time. Therapy and other herbal medicinal methods can be used together to enhance results.

While doctors still need to be educated and accredited, they can use an alternative technique that is non-invasive and safe for all ages. Physiotherapists can use a treatment that will promote the movement of blood to areas that are experiencing inflammation and decreased movements.

Difference in Care

Primary physicians look at symptoms and treating that instead of looking at the overall picture. Chiropractors and other doctors performing Eastern medicine look at what is causing the symptom. Heat, manipulation, and acupuncture have been shown to solve many ailments, not just the ones you are currently experiencing. They are careful not to cause more problems when attempting to solve another.

Combined Treatment

The best part of these particular practices is the fact you have the ability to combine several techniques at the same time. You can take herbs and increase your exercise, in combination with seeing a chiropractor to see a better result. Cinnamon is one herb that has been shown to increase the movement of blood and decrease pains.

If you are experiencing any sort of discomfort with your menstrual cycle that makes you unable to keep up with your normal schedule, then it is time to seek help. Popping a pill is not a long-term answer, and can add toxins. It is important with any type of discomfort to use any means possible to bring relief, and there are numerous studies that show Eastern practitioners can help.